Wikipedia correctly points out the M1 Carbine was a forerunner of them (that it was the first US weapons system to exclusively use non-corrosive primers is no accident). The most exotic of them, FN's PS-90 has gotten a lot of general exposure, and it's almost 20 inches long. So congruent with this solicitation, to satisfy it the gun has to be fully operational with the stock folded.

Anyway, my only point is that these aren't precisely assault rifles, so the solicitation isn't engaging in Newspeak.

Isn't that an interesting dichotomy?! If you're working for the state, you get personal defense weapons. If you're a citizen, you can't use them because there is no sporting purpose, they are select fire, and their barrels are too short.

These weapons are perfect for the "common use," however they can never pass the test because they're not allowed as part of the choices.

Selector switch for autofire?? These aren't AR15s. These weasels are getting dressed up for the dance and we are all going to be invited....even if we don't want to go. Remember that old Bunkerhill (Breedshill) saying "Don't fire till you see the whites of their eyes".....

"Personal Defense Weapon" isn't a term of art. It HAS become a marketing term, like "light beer".

It is a widely used term to describe guns useful for defensive roles for people who are not intended to normally engage in offensive roles, that are generally smaller than the normal arm issued for "offensive" use.

The M4 Carbine (just a hair under 30" with stock collapsed) was a "personal defense weapon" when it was originally introduced to replace things like the M3 "Grease Gun", because the plan (at that time) was to retain the M16A2 as the standard grunt gun. when the M1 Garand was teh standard line rifle, the M1 carbine was introduced as a personal defensive weapon at 35 and a half inches.

"Defensive" has a different flavor in a purely military context -- Claymore mines are "defensive weapons". So are frag grenades (whereas flash bangs and pure concussion grenades are "offensive").

However, having DHS declare AR carbines "defensive" weapons does lend credence to tracking them as appropriate for individual citizens to use for defense, primarily because DHS is NOT a military force, and are facing similar levels of opposition force as any citizen might face in a home invasion...